FOUND OBJECT SCULPTURE: A THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTION

Running head: FOUND OBJECT SCULPTURE: A THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTION
Found Object Sculpture: A Therapeutic Art Invention for Grief and Loss
Carrie J. Peed, BA
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana
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Abstract
Found object sculpture, as an art therapy technique, promotes thorough exploration, examination,
and analysis of grief and loss. The heuristic methodology utilized for this study provided
analytical and emotional immersion and focus on past and present experiences and themes
related to grief and loss. Creating sculpture with found objects discovered in nature
demonstrated how found object art and its healing can occur for this population. Photographing
the found objects as well as the finished art response pieces contributed to the healing process.
Identification of the outer world through the intrinsic nature of found objects encouraged internal
meaning. A measurable grief inventory, an adapted version of The Complicated Grief Inventory
(Prigerson, et al., 1995) was given before the research began as well as, upon the conclusion of
the study. Additionally, weekly therapy sessions with another mental health professional were
utilized for support to manage triggers of acute grief, sadness or other issues, concerns, and
challenges throughout the entire process. This heuristic research study provided information
demonstrating the therapeutic benefits of art therapy for the resolution of grief and loss.
FOUND OBJECT SCULPTURE: A THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTION
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The journey of being an art therapist through the Master’s program at Saint Mary-of-the-
Woods College has been an experience rich in challenge, learning, and life experience. The Art
Therapy department has been instrumental in encouraging my development both personally and
professionally. I especially thank Dr. Brad Huffey for his high expectations and meaningful relevant
class content. I appreciate Dr. Lisa Hinz for being kind and concise with her suggestions and
attention to detail. Kathleen Sullivan is an extremely supportive instructor with excellent advice and
suggestions during the edit of my thesis as my second reader. Jill McNutt as my advisor, offered
positive and practical encouragement through challenges I have endured throughout the MAAT
program. Additionally, I would like to thank Kathy Gotshall, for developing this program and
tirelessly believing in each person who has been a part of the MAAT journey. I would like to
express my gratitude to Amanda Bechtel, who has been such a wonderful support with countless
things. I would like to thank Dr. Joan Phillips, my thesis instructor, for reminding me to remain calm
and trust everything will work out, as it has.
I must thank the people who by their passing, through paradoxical synchronicity encouraged
me to seek the topic of grief of loss. Without their signs and guidance, memories and unconditional
love I would not have been able to explore the depths of grief of loss from which I suffer since their
absence. Through them I have gained insight, experience, and techniques to share with others.
Finally, I would like to thank my husband, Justin, who has been a single father in order for
me to pursue this MAAT program, my daughter and son, who have had to adjust to a change within
the household. There are countless friends and family who have supported my efforts along the way
and I hold your thoughts, energy and prayers close to heart. Thank you.
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Research Question ..................................................................................... 12
Basic Assumptions ..................................................................................... 12
Purpose Statement ...................................................................................... 12
Heuristic Studies Regarding Art Therapy .................................................. 15
Benefits of Art-Making Related to Grief and Loss and Healing ............... 16
Found Objects ............................................................................................ 17
Summary .................................................................................................... 19
Summary of Findings ................................................................................. 27
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Discussion and Recommendations ............................................................ 65
APPENDIX B: Journal Question Prompts ............................................... 75
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TABLE 2. Summary of Coping Mechanisms .............................................................. 26
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2. Found object sculpture on Wrightsville Beach ……………………………….. .... 29
3. Week One: Collection of found objects .................................................................. 30
4. Blue and orange shell ............................................................................................... 30
5. Two rings shells one shell ........................................................................................ 32
6. Week One: Found object sculpture ......................................................................... 33
7. Week One: Found object sculpture at beach ............................................................ 34
8. Week One: Found object sculpture left on the beach .............................................. 34
9. Week One: How sculpture was found ..................................................................... 36
10. Week Two: Collection of found objects along riverbank ...................................... 37
11. Can with barnacles ................................................................................................. 38
12. Week Two: Creative art response .......................................................................... 40
13. Transfer process of image on tape ......................................................................... 42
14. Week Three: Found object sculpture .................................................................... 43
15. Week Three: Found object on path ........................................................................ 44
16. Week Three: Moved sculpture ............................................................................... 45
17. Week Three: Creative art response ....................................................................... 46
18. Week Four: Heart .................................................................................................. 47
19. Week Four: Found object sculpture detail ............................................................. 49
20. Week Four: Entire found object sculpture in nature .............................................. 49
21. Week Five: Found objects .................................................................................... 51
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26. Results of the Inventory of Complicated Grief ...................................................... 58
27. Preliminary Results of the Inventory of Complicated Grief .................................. 59
28. Post Results of the Inventory of Complicated Grief .............................................. 60
29. Piece of sculpture with tiny pieces of sand ........................................................... 62
30. Woven metal ...................................................................................................... 62
32. Mended heart ....................................................................................................... 64
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Introduction
Grief and loss are universal, human experiences. Most people who live a typical life span
will endure the pain and experience of loss, grief, and bereavement (Currier, Holland &
Neimeyer, 2007). It is estimated 10 million people are bereaved yearly in the United States
(Shear, 2012). According to Currier, Neimeyer, and Berman (2008) few will avoid the pain of
bereavement. It is estimated 15% of the bereaved have symptoms that impair his or her
everyday life (Rosner, Lumbeck & Geissner, 2011; Currier et al., 2008). Interestingly females
have a higher percentage of possible prolonged grief disorder or complicated grief disorder
(American Psychiatric Association, 2013; Johnson, Dyregrov & Dyregrov, 2012). Therefore,
exploring a therapeutic art intervention, sharing experiences and discovering through the
heuristic research method can provide relief, hope, solutions and tacit knowledge for individuals
enduring multiple losses and grief (Moustakas, 1990).
There is little argument regarding the hardship and challenging effects grief and loss has
on an individual. In May of 2011 I felt the traumatic effects of grief and loss from the death of
my best friend. Her death propelled me to search and find new meaning in my life, which
ultimately lead me to pursue being an art therapist. Hooyman & Krammer (2006) explained,
“young adults who have been able to define a direction for their lives have more personal
resources with which to cope with adversity” (p. 193). I had an interest in art therapy in 1996
while in undergraduate school researching and touring graduate schools across the country that
offered art therapy programs. At that time I decided not to attend graduate school.
Unbeknownst to me from that point until the present I would experience an almost
insurmountable amount of grief and loss within this past year due to the deaths of over twelve
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people who had a significant meaning in my life. It is important to note feelings of grief and loss
can come from a variety of life experiences. However, this study will focus on the grief and loss
from losing a loved one with significant meaning in one’s life.
One of the most challenging aspects of grief and bereavement is that it is uniquely
individual. Each person deals with the death of a loved one in his or her own individual way and
pace (Wolfelt, 2003; Kubler-Ross & Kessler, 2005). Grief may be viewed as a “passage of time,
moving from state to another” (Malchiodi, 2012, p. 424). Our society, in general, pressures a
bereaved person to contain grief and move beyond the loss and return to living as they did before
(Kuber-Ross & Kessler, 2005; Wolfelt, 2003). Additionally, the loss of a loved one is an intense
emotional experience (Shear, 2012). Shear (2012) explained most people feel disoriented, and
experience an array of emotions, thoughts and changes in behavior. “Grief dominates the mental
landscape” (Shear, 2012, p. 462).
However, “paradoxically, grief leaves in its wake many positive outcomes” (Frantz,
Farrell & Trolley, 2001, p. 191). Having had many challenging moments and experiences to
share regarding loss I found Frantz, Farrell & Trolley’s words (2001) on positive emphasis on
what may come from the death of losing a loved one inspirational providing a different
perspective. Many of the positive outcomes Frantz et al. (2001) explained from the death of a
loved one come with the passage of time. “A balance between escape and immersion of grief is
healthy but only in conjunction with the other” (Frantz et al., 2001, p. 206).
Immersion through art and heuristic research as defined by Moustakas (1990) offers the
ideal combination to explore grief and loss. While taking Spirituality in Art Therapy at Saint
Mary-of-the-Woods College in Indiana I was introduced to the book, Poiesis: Language of
Psychology and the Speech of the Soul by Levine (1992). Levine explained creating pain or
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conflict, as art is an intimate gift. Art inspired by pain or conflict is vulnerable, it may symbolize
the true inner self and spirit, and allows the expression of repressed suffering.
Heuristic research uses the creative process to work with data through periods of
“immersion, incubation, illumination, and finally a creative synthesis” (Netzer, 2009, p. 39).
The researcher must trust and be intensely honest to discover and recognize relevant information
while conducting a heuristic study (Douglass & Moustakas, 1985). The heuristic process
involves confrontation of a fundamental human concern to then “understand the wholeness and
the unique patterns of experiences in a scientifically organized and disciplined way” (Moustakas,
1990, p. 18).
Problem Statement and Significance of Problem
There has been a great deal of research on grief and the positive effects and outcomes
creating art has on the expression of feelings and the healing properties associated with grief and
loss. This study builds upon the art therapy research about grief and loss through object found
sculpture. As inspired by Levine (1992) creating found object sculptures and installing them or
leaving them “as a gift” is part of this study. Levine (1992) described the beauty of our natural
world and the importance of giving back to the earth. Creating art from nature and leaving it in
nature allows the art to become one with the earth again. The art is a “gift” to replenish what is
taken (Levine, 1992). “Creativity also is enhanced by immersion in a creative environment: one
that contains diverse art media, fosters curiosity, encourages perceptual openness, and stimulates
all the senses” (Hinz, 2009, p. 187). Found objects can enhance the therapeutic process; provide
indexical properties, new connections, and associations (Camic, Brooker & Neal, 2011; Fenner,
1996). Camic et al. (2011) discovered found objects encouraged expression of struggles and
trauma.
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This heuristic research will be an in-depth study to discover if found object sculpture can
contribute to the healing and understanding of grief and loss. The use of sculpture installed in
nature, journaling, photography documentation, and art processing and reflection will be utilized
in this study to contribute to the understanding of loss and grief.
Research Question
How can utilizing found object sculpture as an art therapy intervention facilitate and
contribute towards the understanding and healing from grief and loss?
Basic Assumptions
Everyone is likely to experience loss or grief from the death of a loved one throughout his
or her life. The grieving process can affect daily life, perceived ideals, and alter life experiences
in the future. Art making does decrease stress, provides a healthy outlet for expression, and can
memorialize loss. Creating art offers a healthy outlet for expression and communication. Art
provides the opportunity for expression and healing. Nature provides a solid foundation and a
spiritual connection to divine energy and experiences. Furthermore, nature can act as a teacher,
giving opportunities to focus on rebalancing one’s life, connecting to the natural world, and
allowing “reflections about life, death, and the possibilities for change” (p. 145, Farrelly-Hansen,
2001). Ideally, found object sculpture appears to be an intervention to aids in the healing of grief
and loss.
Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this study is to explore and discover if found object sculpture and art
making can contribute to personal healing from grief and loss. Undergoing the stages of
heuristic research will provide an extensive opportunity for self-discovery, closure, and
knowledge that will be shared with others. Sharing experiences through a heuristic study can
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provide relief, hope, solutions and knowledge for others who have experienced similar situations.
Ultimately this study will enable a better understanding of grief and possible healing and closure
for clinicians and clients alike.
The inventory of complicated grief and survey along with artwork can measure
improvements and change with regards to grief, sadness, challenges, and general well being.
The process of finding objects to use for sculpture is therapeutic in itself. Painter & Beckman
(2010) explained how natural objects may “offer numerous opportunities for sensory
associations, exploration, and reflection” (p. 78). Brooker (2010) believed found objects enable
access, allow acceptance, and the process of difficult, suppressed feelings. Found objects
facilitate a “psychological bridge to the outer world to connect to the present with an improved
sense of self (Brooker, 2010, p. 33).
Hypothesis
Utilizing the found object sculpture of art therapy along with art responses and
processing will contribute to a better understanding of grief and enabling relief, healing, and
closure for those who have experienced multiple losses.
Definition of Terms
Expressive Therapy Continuum: A framework that “organizes media interactions into a
developmental sequence of information processing and image formation from simple to
complex” (Hinz, 2009, p. 4).
Found Object: Materials or items that are discovered or found that are considered to have some
personal value or contain a feeling of curiosity, aesthetics, novelty, remembrance or significance
(Camic, et al., 2011).
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Grief: Internal meaning of thoughts, feelings and bodily reaction from the experience of loss
(Wolfelt, 2003).
Heuristic study: A six-phase research immersion method developed by Moustakas (1990) that
involves the researcher’s own knowledge, intuition, experience and imagination (Carolan, 2001).
Inventory of Complicated Grief: A survey tool to access and measure pathological,
complicated and significant symptoms of grief and loss (Prigerson, Maciejewski, Reynolds,
Bierhals, Newsom, Fasiczka, Frank, Doman, & Miller, 1995).
Self-actualization: A process or desire for self-improvement (Hinz, 2009; Maslow, 1968).
Synchronicity: the experience of two or more events that occur by chance in a meaningful
manner (Jung, 1968).
(Carolan, 2001).
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Review of Literature
There is extensive research about grief and loss in a variety of mental health and medical
professional literature (Ganim, 1998). A tremendous amount of information can be found about
grief and loss through Internet searches with key words: grief and loss, mourning, bereavement,
stages of grief, healing of loss, trauma and loss, and many others. There is minimal literature
regarding found object sculpture in relation to grief. However, using found objects for materials
in sculpture and as part of an art process to encourage mindfulness of the spirit and allow as a
part of healing individuals who have experienced trauma, eating disorders, anxiety, and
depression (Brooker, 2010; Farrelly-Hansen, 2001; Hyatt, 2007).
Heuristic Studies Regarding Art Therapy
Bloomgarden & Netzer (1998) found and explicated how the heuristic research model
favorably suits art therapy with creativity being inherent and of primary focus in heuristic
research. A heuristic study requires a passionate, personal involvement of the researcher, which
can promote disciplined discovery for personal and professional growth (Bloomgarden & Netzer,
1998; Douglass, & Moustakas, 1985; Fenner, 1996; Moustakas, 1990). Additionally as stated by
Bloomgarden & Netzer, “in the heuristic experience researchers can teach about the power of art
in healing” (1998, p. 53).
Fenner’s (1996) published study, is an example of how she used the heuristic
methodology and process as a form of research, and self-therapy involving brief image-making
and writing experiences over a two-month period to determine the use of art materials to enhance
personal meaning and therapeutic change. In the opinion and experience of Fenner (1996) the
heuristic research methodology’s “rigor of the process is its primary mode of validation” (p. 37).
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Other inspirational examples of heuristic studies found in art therapy literature were two
unpublished theses including Sullivan (2010), and Hennig (2005). Resilience, healing
expression, of art, specifically “spontaneous therapeutic art-making” (p. 2), as a means for
healing from traumatic experiences were the themes and initial purpose of Hennig’s study
(2005). Sullivan (2010) conducted her heuristic study to explore the possibilities of how the art
therapy intervention of dream tending, could facilitate self-repair of her continual trauma and
inability to fully offer forgiveness to others involved with her trauma. Dream tending is a
conscious and spiritual process and interaction by which an individual discovers the meaning and
voice of possible symbols, communication, and patterns within a dream, (Aizenstat, 2003),
which led Sullivan (2010) to a heuristic study to aide in her self-repair was as she described, “not
all emotions discovered were understood or readily soothed” (p. 3). The research Sullivan
(2010) conducted is one of the only discovered heuristic studies that utilized a specific art
therapy intervention much like the proposed use of found object sculpture of this study.
Benefits of Art-Making Related to Grief and Loss and Healing
At times a person cannot find words to express his or her emotions, thoughts or pain.
To aid and facilitate awareness and emotional release various art media and art tasks can provide
a means for safe expression (Gladding, 2012). Art making emphasizes and creates focus on the
here-and-now while dealing with the past. Current feelings or thoughts expressed through art
exemplify cathartic and reparative grief processes that may not have been easily expressed in
words alone (Hinz, 2009; Waller, 2012). Additionally, art therapy can reduce symptoms related
to grief and improve daily functioning and a better quality of life (Kopytin & Lebedev, 2013).
With careful consideration to the art task and the use of certain art materials art can create
a boundary in which “expression of emotion” (Hinz, 2009) can be contained in a safe way. “Art
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therapy is uniquely helpful in identifying the sensory aspects of stress, which may be due to
trauma, in the body through art expression” (Malchiodi, 2012, p. 326). Stress and how the body
deals with it is an important aspect of grief and mourning.
According to Ganim (1998) “psychotherapists, medical caregivers, and educators have
rediscovered art as a way to heal emotional wounds created by our internal feeling of
fragmentation as well as by our separation from others” (p. 1). Grief from loss and death is one
of life’s most extreme examples of separation. “Art heals by transforming difficulties into
creative expressions if we can open ourselves to these processes” (McNiff, 2014, p. 40).
Sculpture provides a three-dimensional from to express experiences (Allen, 1995).
“Working in assemblage, the art of putting things together to form a new expression, we begin
with an object and through our resonance discover our experience and its meaning” (Allen, 1995,
p. 33). Allen (1995) passionately believed there is no way around grief; one must go through it
and not expect it to go away or dissipate on its own. The art process helps one travel into the
journey of grief. Art making has numerous healing possibilities (Allen, 1995).
Found Objects
Found objects have a significant importance in our lives making it advantageous to
explore their use in clinical work and research (Camic, Brooker,…

FOUND OBJECT SCULPTURE: A THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTION

Documents

found object

art

paintings

art therapy technique

object art